Hockey Ad Network

Monday, November 7, 2011

The Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) have acquired Sioux City Musketeers defenseman Jordan Schmaltz in exchange for forward David Goodwin, defensemen Andy Ryan and Dan Molenaar and affiliate list player forward Jacob Montgomery.

Schmaltz, who was a member of the 2011 All-USHL First team and All-Rookie team, led all defensemen in scoring last season with 44 points (13 goals & 31 assists). TheVerona,Wisconsin native was also a member of the United States team that captured the gold medal in the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. Schmaltz is currently playing for the U.S. Select Team at the World Junior “A” Challenge inLangley,British Columbia. This season, Schmaltz has registered three goals and three assists in nine games. Schmaltz, who is projected to be a first round NHL draft selection in 2012, is committed toNorth Dakota.

“The trade was made with mixed emotions,” said head coach Derek Lalonde, “David, Andy and Dan are great people and were valuable players to our team. But at the same time you rarely have an opportunity to acquire a player the caliber of Jordan Schmaltz. He is a projected first round NHL draft pick and will be a tremendous addition to our team.”

Maric, a native of Milwaukee,Wisconsin spent the 2009-10 season with the Anderson Cup champion Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. In 55 games, Maric tallied five goals and 12 assists. In 2011, Maric has appeared in nine games with the Musketeers producing two goals and two assists.

In other roster moves the Gamblers added forward Nick Schmaltz, who is the brother to Jordan Schmaltz. The younger Schmaltz is regarded by many scouts to be the top 1996 birth year forward in North America. Schmaltz is a member of the Chicago Mission U-16 team.

Maric will be in the line-up this weekend as the Gamblers face off against the Indiana Ice and the Chicago Steel. Jordan Schmaltz, who is in British Columbiawith the U.S. Select Junior Team, will make his debut on November 18. The debut of the younger Schmaltz is to be determined.

Green Bay returns home to take on the Chicago Steel at Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena November 12th for this season’s Throwback Game. Face-off is set for 7:05pm. The Gamblers are currently 8-3 in the Eastern Conference.